Bruins insider suggests Patrice Bergeron won't start next season in Boston

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Dorin Canaday
June 11, 2022 (0:21)

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As we all know, Patrice Bergeron's future with the Boston Bruins is still up in the air.

So many things have already changed in Boston, which, according to team insider Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, may make the captain's decision a lot easier and could lead to one that Bruins fans won't like too much.

Earlier this week, general manager Don Sweeney stunned everyone by firing head coach Bruce Cassidy, except Bergeron, apparently. As reported by Shinzawa, Sweeney informed Bergeron of his decision, but he didn't ask him how that would influence his decision on returning:

"Cassidy, who gave Bergeron freedom to oversee the dressing room and play more on the attack, is gone. Brad Marchand, Bergeron's tightest friend and perpetual left-wing, will not be ready at the start of 2022-23 following surgery on both hips. Same goes for Charlie McAvoy (shoulder), the 24-year-old who will one day claim the 'C' that resides on Bergeron's jersey. Matt Grzelcyk (shoulder) will also be unavailable when the season opens � that is if he's not traded. The Bruins will have to move swiftly on re-signing David Pastrnak or trading the right-wing. The second Stanley Cup Bergeron wants is unlikely to be his as a Bruin."

"Definitely clouds the picture,» a source familiar with Bergeron's thinking said of recent events."

Cassidy also said this in his meeting with media Thursday morning:

While GM Sweeney wants to remain positive about his captain's return:

"multiple sources raised the possibility of Bergeron remaining in evaluation mode until November or December."

That means Bergeron could wait and see how the beginning of the season goes for the Bruins before making a choice and also seeing who the new head coach is. Especially with the possibility of David Pastrnak being traded and Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk all out for an extended amount of time, his decision could be a lot easier.

Can you wait that long to hear Bergeron's decision?

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